Where those associated with Western films from around the world are laid to rest.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

RIP Ervin Drake

RIP Ervin Drake

Hollywood.Com

By Wenn.Com

January 15, 2015

Legendary American songwriter Ervin Drake has died at the
age of 95. Born Ervin Maurice Druckman in New York, he had his first track
published at the age of 12 and scored his big break in 1942, when he came up
with the English lyrics for Brazilian instrumental Tico-Tico. He also put words
to Juan Tizol's composition Perdido and went on to write American Songbook
standards such as I Believe and It Was a Very Good Year, which was originally
written for Kingston Trio folk star Bob Shane and famously covered by Frank
Sinatra. His other well-known tunes include Quando Quando Quando, Father of the
Girls, Castle Rock, A Room Without Windows and jazz standard Good Morning,
Heartache, which has been recorded by the likes of Billie Holiday and Diana
Ross. Drake served as the president of the American Guild of Authors and
Composers from 1973 to 1982 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
in 1983. Sharing the news of his passing with Twitter.com followers on Thursday
(15Jan15), his friend, veteran singer/actor Robert Davi, writes, "one of
the Great American Songwriters and my friend Ervin Drake has died... join me in
paying tribute to a Great Artist." Actress Leslie Uggams also paid tribute
to Drake online, tweeting, "So very sad to hear of the passing of Ervin
Drake. He was a great friend and songwriter. My condolences to his
family", and musician Michael Feinstein adds, "So sad to hear about
the passing of Ervin Drake". Further details about Drake's death had yet
to be released as WENN went to press.

About Me

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1946 I have a BA degree in American History from Cal St. Northridge. I've been researching the American West and western films since the early 1980s and visiting filming sites in Spain and the U.S.A. Elected a member of the Spaghetti Western Hall of Fame 2010.